Anatomically configured device for orthopedic support of the body

ABSTRACT

Our device is made of different materials that may stretch in four directions, aiding in support and comfort. The overlapping cylinder like shapes provide 3-D, 360° support to the anatomical area to which they are placed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an article of manufacture. Morespecifically, this invention is directed to a device and method forsupporting an articulating joint, joints, and/or body part (e.g. wrist,ankle, elbow, knee, low back, full body, upper back, foot, and back ofthe neck and head). In the preferred embodiments of this invention, thedevice comprises spherically, round and/or oval (like) overlappingcylinder like shapes placed in braces, clothing, and footwear, designedas a pillow, and placed in a seat or furniture for orthopedic support.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The human body may be injured by strains, contusions, bruises,degenerative joint diseases, arthritis, and arthroscopic operations.Such injuries may cause hematomas and inflamed areas that need to betreated. In such cases, it has been found advantageous to apply acompress of some type to the injured area to effect more rapid healing,or prevent any further inflammation or injury. Typically, support forthe joints can be provided with an Ace bandage wrap, or an anatomicallyconfigured tubular device. The anatomically configured tubular devicecan have an opening in the device at the heel, to permit greater oflesser degree of movement of the ankle. Similarly, a wrist support mayinclude a sleeve having one or more finger or thumb loops to preventrelative movement (creep) of the support on the wrist while in use.

[0005] A number of patents have been disclosed in the patent literaturewhich discloses various devices for support or treatment of a weakenedor injured articulating joint. The following patents are discussed inchronological order and, thus, no significance is to be attached totheir order of discussion.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is the object of this invention to remedy the above as well asrelated deficiencies in the prior art.

[0007] More specifically, it is the principal object of the presentinvention to provide an anatomically configured device for pressuresupport of an articulating joint, joints or body fitted part.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide an anatomicallyconfigured device for pressure support of an articulating joint, jointsor body fitted part, which may stretch inferior, superior, medial andlateral.

[0009] It is yet another object of this invention to provide ananatomically configured device of material within a brace, clothing,footwear, as a pillow, a seat for concentrated pressure 360° support ofan articulating joint, joints or body fitted part

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The above and related objects are achieved by providing a devicemade of overlapping cylinder like shapes giving an enhanced 360° supportover the joint, joints and/or body part in question within the brace,clothing, footwear, seats, as a pillow, which may stretch in fourdirections for pressure support of an ankle, elbow, knee, wrist, lowback, full body, upper back, and/or neck and head. The device of thisinvention can include an anatomically configured device, which is usedin one or more areas of the brace, clothing, footwear, seat, used as apillow, etc., providing a 360° support, so as to focus or concentratepressure support at the inferior, superior, medial and lateral points.

[0011] In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the pressureconcentrating means of the composite comprises a delimited area having aplurality of cylinder like shapes of materials that could haverelatively greater stretch resistance and/or support, than other devicesused for orthopedic support. For example, in the case of a device forsupport of a wrist, the pressure concentrating means can be locatedeither on the device just forward of the wrist on either the palm orbackside of the hand.

[0012] In another of the preferred embodiments of this invention, thecomposite device of this invention can include one or multiple delimitedareas of a brace, clothing, footwear, seat, or as a pillow with aconcentrating 360° support for support to the body. For example, in thecase of a device for pressure support of the ankle, the pressure supportmeans are typically positioned to both support the Achilles tendon andthe plantar of the foot.

[0013] The device of this invention can also be provided in the form ofoverlapping cylinder like shapes providing a 360° support on a brace,clothing, footwear, seat, or as a pillow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the full body support of thisinvention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a Sports Bra device of thisinvention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pillow device of this invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of footwear with the device of thisinvention.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a car seat with the support deviceof this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The Figures which accompany this application, and referencedherein, depict representative embodiments of this invention. In eachinstance, the composite comprises layers of material with overlappingcylinder like shapes providing 3-D, 360° support having concentratedpressure support means locations for pressure support in braces,clothing, footwear, pillows and/or seats. The layers of material can beanatomically placed at a particular location of the body, providing 3-D,360° support within a brace, and may also stretch in four directions.

[0020] In FIG. 1, the devices of this invention are preconfigured in ananatomical position suitable to support the upper and low back.

[0021] Similarly, in FIG. 2, the device is preconfigured in ananatomical position suitable to support the upper back as it isintegrated in a pullover sports bra. This device supports the upperdorsal area.

[0022]FIG. 3 illustrates the adaptation of the concepts of thisinvention to a device as a cervical/lumbar pillow that is anatomicallyconfigured suitable for support of the neck posteriorly, laterally, aswell as low back posteriorly.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates the concept of this invention and the placementof these two designs for support and protection of the arch of the footinferiorly and the ankle of the foot posteriorly.

[0024]FIG. 5 illustrates the concept of this device being integrated ina car seat to provide the lumbar support and comfort.

[0025] The pressure concentrating means depicted in each of theforegoing devices comprises a plurality of overlapping cylinder likeshapes of material that may have greater stretch resistance than thematerial of the object they are placed in.

[0026] In each case, the combined effect of the pressure concentratingmeans and the material of the devices providing 3-D, 360° support atspecific areas of the devices of this invention is to lend additionalsupport or focused pressure to the brace, clothing, footwear, pillow,and/or seat at one or more locations.

What is claimed is:
 1. The device placed in the full body support(FIG. 1) provides pressure support in the upper dorsal and lowback/lumbar areas. The device comprises a composite of overlappingcylinder like shapes within the brace and at least one pressureconcentrating means located at a predesignated areas on the device, thepressure concentrating means comprising at least one component whichwhen combined with the brace, lends additional and/or enhanced supportor focused pressure at one or more locations on the device where thepressure concentrating means are located.
 2. The device placed inclothing (FIG. 2) offers an enhanced support and comfort to individualsin the upper back areas.
 3. The device when used as a pillow support(FIG. 3) provides an adaptable, ergonomically designed pillow forsupport and comfort for the head and neck while sleeping, and supportsthe low back when used on a chair or seat at home, in the car, or atwork.
 4. The design when anatomically configured to the footwear (FIG.4) provides increased focal support in the arch of the foot inferiorlyand ankle of the foot posteriorly.
 5. The design when anatomicallyconfigured to the seat (FIG. 5) or chair provides increased focalsupport to the lumbar spine aiding to an enhanced comfort and stability.